Federal Communications Commission DA 21-499 DA 21-499 Released: April 30, 2021 Media Bureau Announces Effective Date of Rule Governing Notification of All-Digital Operation on FCC Form 335-AM MB Docket Nos. 19-311, 13-249 On October 27, 2020, the Commission adopted a Report and Order in its proceeding to allow AM radio licensees to broadcast using an all-digital signal. All-Digital AM Broadcasting, Revitalization of the AM Radio Service, Report and Order, 35 FCC Rcd 12540 (2020) (All-Digital AM Order). The All-Digital AM Order was released on October 27, 2020, and published in the Federal Register on December 3, 2020. All-Digital AM Broadcasting, Revitalization of the AM Radio Service, 85 Fed. Reg. 78022 (Dec. 3, 2020). In the All-Digital AM Order, the Commission amended sections 73.402-406 of the rules 47 CFR §§ 73.402-406. to permit AM stations to operate using all-digital broadcast signals. All-Digital AM Order, 30 FCC Rcd at 12163, para. 39. Section 73.406 of the new rules requires licensees to notify the Commission using a Digital Notification form, FCC Form 335-AM, when commencing, making certain changes to, or ceasing all-digital operation. New all-digital AM notification requirements were added to new section 73.406 of the Commission’s rules. Although we direct broadcasters to use the Form 335-AM for all-digital AM notifications, the current form needs to be modified to account for the additional information required for all-digital AM operations. Until the Form 335-AM is updated to display the new all-digital AM operation requirements, filers must submit an attachment to their FCC Form 335-AM containing the relevant information. The All-Digital AM Order, and the rules adopted therein, became effective January 4, 2021, Media Bureau Announces Federal Register Publication of Report and Order in All-Digital AM Broadcasting, Revitalization of the AM Radio Service Proceeding, Public Notice, 35 FCC Rcd 14615 (MB 2020). with the exception of section 73.406, which contains new information collection requirements and therefore had to be approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). 44 U.S.C. § 3507. On April 14, 2021, OMB approved the information collection for FCC Form 335-AM, including the associated attachment used for all-digital AM notifications, and section 73.406, identified by OMB Control Number 3060-1034. On April 29, 2021, announcement of OMB approval of FCC Form 335-AM and the effective date of new section 73.406, also April 29, 2021, were published in the Federal Register. All-Digital AM Broadcasting, Revitalization of the AM Radio Service, 86 Fed. Reg. 22621 (April 29, 2021). By this Public Notice, the Media Bureau announces that both new section 73.406 and FCC Form 335-AM become effective on April 29, 2021. FCC Form 335-AM, and the new associated attachment for all-digital AM notifications, will be available for downloading on the Commission’s website at https://transition.fcc.gov/Forms/Form335/335am.pdf. FCC Form 335-AM must be filed electronically in CDBS and does not require payment of a filing fee. For additional information on this proceeding, contact James Bradshaw at james.bradshaw@fcc.gov or Christine Goepp at christine.goepp@fcc.gov of the Media Bureau, Audio Division, (202) 418-2700. Press inquiries should be directed to Janice Wise, (202) 418-8165. By the Chief, Media Bureau --FCC-- 2